Extractivism and Universality
Inside an Uprising in the Amazon
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Taylor & Francis Ltd
Published:10th Feb '23
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
The book offers a compelling exploration of a 2017 uprising in the Ecuadorian Amazon, highlighting the emergence of radical politics amidst global capitalism. Extractivism and Universality provides unique insights into these struggles.
This book delves into a spontaneous uprising that took place in the Ecuadorian Amazon, where workers banded together to confront a multinational oil company and a militarized state. It examines the potential for a radical politics of universality, exploring how such movements can emerge at the edges of global capitalism and how they can be effectively studied and communicated. The narrative raises important questions about the nature of universal politics in an era increasingly defined by identity politics on the left.
As the book progresses, it probes into the political and conceptual ramifications of an emancipatory form of universality that arises from the struggles of Indigenous peoples amidst the extractive practices of global capitalism. It captures the essence of these battles, emphasizing the need for thoughtful research and representation of these grassroots movements. The story unfolds through the lens of a remarkable uprising in 2017, showcasing the unity among mestizo, Black, and Indigenous workers as they challenged powerful forces.
Extractivism and Universality takes a unique approach to these pressing issues, documenting a significant victory that transcended racial, ethnic, and cultural divides. By intertwining radical political theory with a gonzo journalism style, it offers readers an in-depth look at the lived realities of insurgent universality. This work is particularly relevant for scholars and students interested in political and social theory, social movements, labor relations, and the political ecology of resource extraction.
‘This fascinating, first-hand account of the clash between an Amazonian frontier proletariat and a global oil-extraction industry teaches us more about the conditions of global capitalism than any abstract theory could provide. A wonderfully written account of what it is like to join an uprising when solidarity comes from the justice of the struggle, and the Indigenous is not the other, but yourself. This is theory at its concrete best.’
Susan Buck-Morss, Cornell University and CUNY Graduate Center, USA
‘Against the decolonial rejection of universalism, this book is an elegant and brilliant personal account of insurgent universality in the Ecuadorian Amazon, in which Indigenous peoples and other subalterns join ranks against multinational capital based not on cultural or racial identity but shared experiences of alienation and dispossession, united in concrete struggles of universality from below. An absolute must-read for anyone interested in questions of subaltern rebellion and solidarity today.’
Ilan Kapoor, York University, Canada
‘In this timely book, Japhy Wilson unearths the lived reality of a subaltern struggle on the extractive frontier of the Ecuadorian Amazon that challenges the cultural relativism of today’s progressive academic establishment. Arguing that the aim of the struggle was not to defend Indigenous identities, but to reclaim dignity, equality, and better living conditions, the book makes a compelling case for "the actuality of universal humanity," and offers a vivid glimpse of real plebeian politics.’
Martín Arboleda, Universidad Diego Portales, Chile
‘Reporting from an uprising of workers and communities in the Ecuadorian Amazon, Extractivism and Universality combines rich empirical research with deft theoretical exposition. Departing from standard academic narratives, Japhy Wilson invites the reader to grasp the political practices and collective struggles that point beyond the stale binary between Eurocentric universalism and an Indigenous pluriverse.’
Thomas F Purcell, King’s College London, UK
‘A truly impressive work, artfully weaving the complexity of extractive politics, militant struggle, collusions of state and capital, corporate technologies of pacification, and sustained political and theoretical analysis into a captivating narrative. The book is a masterpiece deserving award, representing critical geography at its finest by demonstrating committed fieldwork, critical pedagogy, and innovating academic writing.’
Alexander Dunlap, Antipode
ISBN: 9781032386126
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: 403g
120 pages